Black River TodayA Rutland Herald blog about
the Black River community.

About Black River

Black River Today is blogged by Ralph Pace who lives in Ludlow with his wife of 49 years, Janet, and a dog named Devi. He enjoys gardening (but not lawns-there's a big difference), skiing (when he can drag himself to the slopes), and editing his personal blog (http://viewfromludlow.blogspot.com) along with this blog. He also cohosts a weekly news TV program on LPC-TV, Channel 8, called "That Was The Week That Was" (TW3). Taped segments of TW3 may be viewed at www.lpctv.org. News, stories, comments, opinion columns and any suggestions dealing with the Black River area and his blog can be sent to ralphpace@tds.net

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August 31, 2011

Who to Contact for Flood Damage

This from the combined Republican/Democratic/Progressive parties of VT to help people with contacts for specific help from flood damage:

Reporting Damages

Vermonters who have property affected by the storm should report it to the state. There are several phone lines in addition to the 211 number now in operation. Please note that it is critical to acquiring recovery aid that a statewide inventory of the damage is taken. Also, if repairs are made by a property owner, it is important to take pictures of the damage, document the repairs and keep receipts for potential assistance.

Individuals: Individuals reporting property damage should call 211.

Businesses: Businesses should call the Agency of Commerce and Community Development at (ACCD) at 828-3211 to report damage which will be collated for VEM and FEMA. ACCD will also make referrals for financing and technical assistance. The information needed when businesses make the call is: name of business, location (complete address), description of damage, point of contact, date damage occurred. There are additional questions for historic properties.

Farms: To report damages to property including but not limited to barns, milking parlors, crops, fields, equipment, etc., call:

Organizations such as the Vermont Farm Bureau (802-434-5646 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 802-434-5646 end_of_the_skype_highlighting) or NOFA Vermont (802-434-4122 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 802-434-4122 end_of_the_skype_highlighting) can also be called. These organizations will send a summary of the information to the Agency of Agriculture which will forward it to VEM.

Farmers experiencing loss of crops due to flooding should contact their crop insurance agent as well as the USDA Farm Service Agency (802-658-2803 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 802-658-2803 end_of_the_skype_highlighting).Emergency Flood Assistance Program for BusinessesThis program, administered by VEDA, is up and running. It will provide $10 million of very low interest, no first year payment, loans to businesses which suffered losses due to flooding. Interested businesses should go to VEDA’s website (http://www.veda.org/) for more information.

Storm Recovery ResourcesVermont Emergency Management Website: This site includes the latest updates and helpful information: http://vem.vermont.gov/.

Vermont Emergency Management Facebook Page:The most up to date information for VEM can be found on their Facebook page. If you “like” VEM on Facebook you will be given automatic updates on your Facebook homepage as their status changes. Includes great links to press releases and other information. Find it at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vermont-Emergency-Management/142566220102